MKII F/G vs Marlin 25/925 sporter barrel PART 3

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*****AS CONTINUED FROM PART 2*****
MKII F/G vs. Marlin 25/925 sporter barrel showdown - Part 2

MKII F/G vs Marlin 25/925 sporter barrel PART 3

Magazines, on left Savage MKII 5 round, on the right the older Marlin 25. Note the release button on the lower rear of the mdl 25's magazine.

Trigger guards on both the synthetic Savage and Marlin models are plastic molded into the stock. Both the Savage and the Marlin 25's wood stocks have removeable plastic trigger guards, and it appears while tapping on it at the store, that the 925's may also be plastic (not quite sure), but the finish on it would lead you to believe it was metal if it was indeed plastic.

<span style="font-size: 23pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">NOW MOVING ON TO THE RANGE</span></span></span>

Both the MKII F and the Marlin mdl 25 tested were shot from the bench, bipod and rear bag. 3 brands and types of ammo were shot through them - CCI Blazer (high velocity 40 grains), Federal bulk pack ammo (high velocity hollow points I think they are 38 or 36 grains) and Aguila Golden Eagle Match Rifle (standard / match velocity 40 grains). The barrels were first dry swabbed until "clean" before a change of ammo. 10 rounds of each ammo were fired at 50 and 100 yards. 1" circle at 50 yards, 1.5" circle at 100 yards. Both optics were set at 9X. 30 seconds of time was elapsed before each shot was taken.

Weather 62 Deg F, 65% Hum., 0-3 MPH wind from 8:00, overcast skies.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">50 yard comparison</span></span>

MKII F 2lb 12 oz trigger

Marlin 25

The first thing that grabbed my attention was that the Marlin 25 consistantly placed the 1st round out of a dry swabbed cleaned barrel high and left of the rest of the group at 50 yards with 3 different ammos. The second thing is that the Marlin REALLY likes the CCI Blazer ammo, and appears that the Marlin is more consistant than the MKII except in the case of the match velocity ammo at 50 yards. However, the last 5 rounds were touching each other with the Marlin and match ammo, can it be that the Marlin just needs a few more match velocity / lubed rounds through it to "come in"?

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">100 yard comparison </span></span>

MKII F 2lb 12oz trigger

Marlin 25

To make it more comparable MKII F to the Marlin, when it had the heavier trigger, the targets below was shot at 50 and 100 yards when the MKII F still had the 6lb 6oz trigger. Only 5 round each groups were shot at that time, which as it turns out looks better than the 10 round groups above with the MKII and a lighter trigger. Go figure!:

It appears that if I didn't knowingly pull a shot with the Marlin at 100 yards with the CCI Blazer ammo, the Marlin 25 and the MKII would be a dead heat at this distance.

If it wasn't for the flyer on the Federal bulk pack with the Marlin (12:00) I'd think I'd have to call it advantage Marlin. There were 2 noticable shots away from the group with the MKII F at 100 yards using match velocity ammo at 6:00 and 7:00(including the first "clean barrel" shot). Without those 2, a practical dead heat.

You can make up your own mind / opinions, but in my honest opinion (and coming from a "Savage guy"), when it comes to the economical "pencil barreled" plain Jane choice of the two, I would have to give the overall advantage to the Marlin 25.

I have to go with what is on paper. At 50 yards, there is no doubt in my mind that the Marlin 25 out shot the MKII amoung 3 different ammos. At 100 yards, a practical dead heat with perhaps a smidge of advantage to the Marlin 25.

Is it the micro grooved barrel? Is it the thicker receiver? Is it the way the barrel is introduced into the reciver? Or maybe it's the fact that Marlin's regular tapered sporter barrel is thicker than the Savage counterpart? Is it a combination of all four?

I don't know if it's a combination of little touches that add up to an apparant advantage, or if just 1 thing helps with the consistancy of the Marlin. Both the manufacturers and models are fine to shoot, but after this little side by side showdown, if I was asked which one of these sporter barreled models to buy (and since they are comparitively the same price), I would now have to go with the Marlin.

Whether you call it the 25, or 925, or Marlin or Remington (Marlin was recently purchase by Remington) there IS some "goodie" left in grandpa's ol' squirrel rifle.